'Will not allow J&K to fall under family rule again': Modi continues attack against Abdullahs, Muftis, and Gandhis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally in Srinagar's Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, praised the people of Jammu and Kashmir for coming out in large numbers to vote in the first phase of the Assembly elections. Modi said his goal is to free J&K from the control of three political families—the Abdullahs, Muftis, and Gandhis.

Starting the rally with the greeting “Myanin saarni keashrin bayan te banyan namakar (Namaskaar to all my Kashmiri brothers and sisters),” Modi expressed his gratitude to the crowd. As people chanted, "Modi, Modi," he said, “This is Naya Kashmir,” highlighting his vision for regional progress and development.

Modi said the elections, held without the shadow of terrorism, are a "festival of democracy”. He noted that Kishtwar saw 80 per cent voter turnout, Doda 71 per cent, Ramban 70 per cent and Kulgam over 62 per cent. He called it a historic moment, breaking previous records.

The Prime Minister said the world is now watching how the people of J&K are strengthening Indian democracy, and he congratulated them. He also assured that the BJP will restore statehood to J&K, as promised.

Continuing his criticism of the Abdullah, Mufti, and Gandhi families, Modi accused them of causing fear and uncertainty in J&K, preventing progress, and being responsible for the disruption of schools and youth education. He said that his mission is to end terrorism and not allow the region to fall under "family rule" again.

Modi said that these families avoided holding Panchayat, Block Development Council, and District Development Council elections because they feared new leaders would challenge their power. He blamed them for 35 years of political and social unrest in Kashmir, a region known for its sacred places like Hazratbal, Charar-e-Shareef, and the Shankaracharya temple.

He recalled how Lal Chowk, once dangerous after dark, now remains open late, with people celebrating Eid and Diwali together in harmony. He asked the crowd, “Who did this all?”

Modi also talked about the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and the suffering of Sikhs, blaming the three families for spreading hatred. He said the BJP is now working to unite people and reduce the distance between "Dil aur Dilli" (hearts and Delhi).

Modi said in the last 35 years, Kashmir experienced 3,000 days of strikes and shutdowns, which amounted to eight years of closure. But in the past five years, there has been no shutdown lasting even eight hours. He also talked about the plans for the PM Surya Ghar Yojna, which would provide families with a subsidy of Rs 80,000 for free power.

At the end of his 40-minute speech, Modi sought votes for candidates Sofi Yousuf, Engineer Aijaz Hussain and Arif Raja, urging people to come out in large numbers for the second phase of polling on September 25.